David rides his “Mercedes-Benz” tractor alongside our car parked in the driveway of our home in Monzelfeld, as winter gives way to spring – which slowly unfolds around us.

David stands beside his tractor as the new leaves of spring arrive in our forest behind him, and with it the promise of summer in Germany.

The houses along the street behind us reflect in the living room’s sliding glass doors behind David, as he stands in front of the long narrow flower bed with its colorful tulips growing all in a row behind him.

A more distant view of the back of our house in Monzelfeld from across the back yard, as the flower garden awakens with tulips all lined up to welcome the return of spring to Germany.

Tulips are reflected in the windows of the sliding glass doors into the living room, while the fresh green leaves of spring open in the forest in the distance.

David stands outside of the wood shed beside the garage, showing off a beautiful lavender climbing vine with two white tulips below it.

David, now three years old, and I stand in front of our house in Monzelfeld, and my left index finger shows the healing tendon repair of my foolish antics in Zaragoza only weeks before.

David looks uncertain in this picture, standing in the same position in our home as we would together only eight months later – as I headed off to the Gulf for Operation Desert Shield/Storm.

My wife’s great-aunt sits in our rocking chair during a visit to our home, inspiring us all with her youthful vigor and poise that defied her years – setting an example for us all to hopefully follow someday.

David’s great-great-aunt spends some quality “bonding time” with him, and giggles from her tickling and attention.

David’s great-aunt, who emigrated years ago from Germany to Bellevue, WA; sits with David on the couch in what turned out to be a very sweet picture of the two of them.

David’s grandmother poses with him outside our home in Monzelfeld, in front of beautiful flowering bushes that look to be Azaleas, growing directly outside the sliding glass doors of the dining room.

’Life, Love and the Human Condition’ by Mark D. Jones

Welcome to my world! This blog is a place to capture all of the creative areas of my life into one spot that you can visit any time you like, and allow you to pause for a moment during the course of your day. You can see in the "categories section" the many creative interests that I have in my life - which I add to on a regular basis. Join with me in pondering the meaning of, "Life, Love and the Human Condition." So grab a cup of coffee or tea and spend a few minutes with me in my world...you may find it interesting and want to stay awhile! Enjoy!